We are pleased to see that progress is being made on a proposal that would bring the state and the city together in partnership to substantially renovate the former Providence Civic Center, now known as the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Joshua Teverow, a Providence lawyer and chairman of the Providence Civic Center Authority compares the idea of state involvement in the facility to the state’s contribution several years ago of $16 million for the overhaul of McCoy Stadium.
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“If that was a good deal — and we think it was — then this is an even better one,” said Teverow.
Teverow is correct.
The state’s decision to help rebuild McCoy Stadium was a sound investment. It was critical not only to the City of Pawtucket, but the state as a whole, that the beloved Pawtucket Red Sox remained a viable entity here. The result has been enthusiastic crowds at the ballpark — an economic generator now finely tuned.
Teverow said the state agreed to finance the McCoy reconstruction based on that facility’s economic impact on the state’s economy.
“We believe that because our economic impact for the state is multiples greater than that of McCoy Stadium, there is even more justification for that kind of state involvement,” he said.
Teverow reports that the Dunkin’ Donuts Center averages 1 million admissions per year and has an annual economic impact of $50 million to $60 million for the state.
It stands to reason a renovated building would do even better — and would perhaps bring back some of the NCAA hockey and basketball tournaments that have done so well in the past — not only in selling out the Civic Center, but in providing a huge shot-in-the-arm to local restaurants and other businesses.
With Providence Place now flourishing and even more hotel projects on the horizon, it only makes sense to upgrade one of the city’s original jewels.
